Like any soon-to-be astronaut, Richard Garriott needed a patch to sew onto his spacesuit and to represent his mission. Unlike those who have launched before him however, Garriott had a unique source for his insignia's inspiration: his father's patch.

KSCartist

Super design! It's the perfect homage to his parents and his mission.

Robert Pearlman

Richard Garriott's personal patch is as pictured above, but he will also be flying an alternate version:

Also, in challenge coin format:

butch wilks

I'd love to get them, but who has the patches and pins up for sale?

Robert Pearlman

The design belongs to Richard Garriott, thus it cannot be reproduced (commercially) without his permission. After he returns from space, it should become clearer how he intends to answer requests for his patch.

mooncollector

One of these just sold on eBay for about $280. I was not sure how rare these were. I had a bid on it to about $75 just to test the waters (and was prepared to snipe higher), but that wouldn't even touch the final price. Evidently very few of these have ever escaped Garriott's private circle.

I am learning as I go...

p51

What’s the patch to the left in the first photo with the woman on it? What’s the story with that one?

Robert Pearlman

As noted in the article that accompanies the photo, it is the Skylab II "wives" patch.

Unbeknownst to Owen [Garriott] until he arrived on orbit, an alternate version of the Skylab II patch also flew, this one listing the names of the crewmen's wives – including Helen-Mary, Richard's mother – and altering da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man" to appear as a similarly-styled woman.

quote:Originally posted by mooncollector:One of these just sold on eBay for about $280.

Which one of the two patches was up for sale on eBay?

mama04

The english version of Richard Garriott's patch.

mooncollector

...and won one tonight (1/26/14) for under $70.

I am noticing that there has been a gradual, but noticeable, downward slide in many patch bids on eBay since the end of 2011 (and end of the shuttle program). Bumping this thread to mention that fact. Anyone else seeing this?

I guess the patch hobby has cooled somewhat over the last 2 years!

Robert Pearlman

Once returning from space, Richard (Garriott) handed out a number of his patches at events, and so in the years since, collectors who desire such have had more opportunities to obtain one.

At $70, I would say the market is still strong considering the potential audience.

Cascader

Yes as I bought one from same person a few weeks back. This is a Velcro backed version, very nice.

butch wilks

Has he given out stickers too? I'm looking for a set of stickers for my collection for a number of years now with no luck.

mooncollector

The seller I bought from had listed a number of the crew patch stickers (the descent module-shaped one with red border and the three cosmonauts holding up the earth) as of last night. Not the Garriott personal patch though.